North Korea’s Billion-Dollar Bitcoin Heist Could Force Bitcoin Below $82,242!

North Korea has become one of the biggest Bitcoin holders. Which raises concerns over its impact on the crypto market. A recent UN report revealed that North Korean hackers have stolen billions in crypto, funding nearly half of the country’s nuclear program. The Lazarus Group, a state-backed hacking organization, is behind many of these cyber thefts. As BTC plays a role in global security risks, investors worry about how these stolen funds affect BTC market trends. Will this growing concern lead to stricter regulations, or will Bitcoin continue its upward momentum? Let’s explore.

North Korea’s Crypto Theft and Market Impact

Reports show that North Korean hackers have stolen over $3 billion in crypto in the last five years. The Lazarus Group has targeted exchanges and investors, converting stolen assets into Bitcoin. The UN warns that nearly 50% of North Korea’s nuclear weapons funding comes from these stolen funds. This raises global security concerns, with governments considering stricter crypto regulations. If more rules are enforced, Bitcoin’s liquidity and price trends could shift. At the same time, some investors worry about large sell-offs from these stolen funds, leading to sudden BTC price drops. 

Bitcoin Price Prediction: Key Market Trends on March 18

BTC experienced sharp fluctuations in the last 24 hours. The trading session on March 17 started with a golden cross, signaling strong buying pressure. Overbought RSI conditions at 1:00 UTC and 3:55 UTC pushed BTC toward a resistance level of $83,869, leading to a pullback. A bearish signal at 6:25 UTC indicated rising selling pressure, causing the price to move within a trading range. A golden cross at 14:30 UTC reignited bullish momentum, breaking resistance at $83,869. 

Chart 1, Analyzed by ShwetaCW, published on TradingView, March 18, 2025
As illustrated in Chart 1, However, an overbought RSI at 18:45 UTC pushed BTC to a new high of $84,756.51 before a death cross at 19:10 UTC initiated a downward move. BTC entered March 18 under bearish momentum, with oversold RSI readings at 1:50 UTC and 6:40 UTC confirming support at $82,242.50. A golden cross at 7:00 UTC hinted at a potential rebound, but a death cross at 9:05 UTC suggested further downside risks.

According to the Bitcoin price prediction, if the bearish trend continues, BTC may break support at $82,242.50. On the other hand, if bullish momentum returns, the price could retest and potentially surpass the resistance at $84,756.51.

Bitcoin’s Next Move

The recent report shows concerns over North Korea’s use of Bitcoin to fund its nuclear program. It raises geopolitical risks in the crypto market. Increased scrutiny and potential sanctions on crypto transactions could impact BTC market trends, leading to uncertainty among investors. Regulatory fears may contribute to bearish sentiment, increasing selling pressure. According to the Bitcoin price prediction, if bearish momentum persists, BTC could break support at $82,242.50. Alternatively, if buying pressure returns, Bitcoin may retest the $84,756.51 resistance level, with the potential for further gains if bullish momentum strengthens.